“I always loved being around sports and played sports all my life,” Hope said. “Being a major in broadcasting obviously afforded me that opportunity to do what I loved growing up.”
The Maryland native works at WYMT in Hazard, Kentucky, reporting on high school and college sports. In his role, he has covered the SEC Tournament, NFL Draft, bowl games and the University of Kentucky basketball games, one of the most successful programs in college basketball history.
“To see future NBA players and cover games in Rupp Arena is an amazing feeling,” he said.
What’s his favorite part of the job? Through sports, he is able to connect with the community on a deeper level by building relationships with players and coaches off the field.
“I did a story on an umpire who lost his arm,” said Hope. “I also did a story on two É«×ۺϾþà friends who played at Kentucky together whose mothers competed together when they were in high school.”
At É«×ۺϾþÃ, Hope honed his reporting skills. He filmed and commentated for NCAA tournament games and worked at MC-77, the student-run television station. He also interned at WHTM in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he covered NASCAR races, the Harrisburg Senators and high school baseball games.
He played on the basketball team all four years at É«×ۺϾþÃ. In addition to growing his faith and character, he says sports taught him many values, such as commitment and hard work, that he has carried into his career.
“The television business is very deadline- and task-oriented. The biggest challenges that I face come from trying to find enough time to do everything,” he said. “The É«×ۺϾþà thing one can do is be willing to learn and work hard. It sounds cheesy, but you can overcome a lot of obstacles by being teachable and working hard.”
Hope advises students to gain as much experience as they can.
“Whether it’s on campus or at an internship, ask as many questions as possible and take advantage of any opportunity you get,” he said. “Also, make sure this is really what you want to do. A lot of people don’t make it in this business. It sends you all across the country, and it’s easy to get homesick, so make sure you love what you’re doing.”
— Leanne Tan ’21